U.S. patent application number 12/506806 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for packaging for food products.
This patent application is currently assigned to FEATURE FOODS, INC.. Invention is credited to Steven L. Marks, Harvey Nelson.
Application Number | 20100018969 12/506806 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41567711 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100018969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marks; Steven L. ; et
al. |
January 28, 2010 |
PACKAGING FOR FOOD PRODUCTS
Abstract
The invention relates to packaging for food products,
particularly for baked goods such as muffins, cookies, pastries,
cupcakes, breads or the like, wherein a container comprises a base
or article-receiving portion, and a lid portion that is hinged to
the base or article-receiving portion. Both portions have side
flanges, wherein the flanges are selectively connected to one
another by a fastener system to close the article-receiving portion
with the lid portion. The article-receiving portion is formed to
conform to and house a single-serving baked food product. The base
portion may also have at least one stability member extending
therefrom to provide stability of the base portion on a surface. A
package of a plurality of containers may be provided, with each
individual container being selectively detachable from the package.
In an example, the individual containers may be attached to one
another by micro perforations, such that upon detachment of an
individual container, the connecting portion is smooth and does not
have any sharp edges or protrusions which could harm a
consumer.
Inventors: |
Marks; Steven L.; (Akron,
OH) ; Nelson; Harvey; (Akron, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAHN LOESER & PARKS, LLP
One GOJO Plaza, Suite 300
AKRON
OH
44311-1076
US
|
Assignee: |
FEATURE FOODS, INC.
Cuyahoga Falls
OH
|
Family ID: |
41567711 |
Appl. No.: |
12/506806 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61083287 |
Jul 24, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.4 ;
220/361; 220/810; 53/467 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/162 20130101;
B65D 75/322 20130101; B65D 85/36 20130101; B65D 2585/36
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.4 ;
220/810; 220/361; 53/467 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02; B65D 51/04 20060101 B65D051/04; B65D 53/00 20060101
B65D053/00; B65B 1/04 20060101 B65B001/04 |
Claims
1. A package for baked food products comprising: a plurality of
individual containers for single-serving baked food products,
wherein each of the individual containers comprises an
article-receiving portion, and a lid portion that is hinged to the
article-receiving portion, the article-receiving and lid portions
have a fastening system associated with the portions to selectively
close the lid portion to the article-receiving portion, wherein the
article-receiving portion is formed to house a single-serving baked
food product, and wherein, the plurality of individual containers
are removably attached to one another, to allow each individual,
single-serving container to be selectively released from the
plurality of containers in the package.
2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the article-receiving
and lid portions have side flanges and the fastening system
comprises at least one of said lid or article-receiving portions
having at least one male part extending from at least one side
flange and one of said portions having at least one corresponding
female part formed in the at least one flange to mate with the at
least one male part, such that the flanges are selectively
connected to one another by the at least one male-female parts.
3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the article-receiving
and lid portions have flanges and the fastening system comprises a
heat seal or adhesive connection between said lid and
article-receiving portions.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein the individual container lid
portions have an upper cavity portion and the article-receiving
portions have a lower cavity portion, with the cavity portions
shaped to accommodate a predetermined baked food product.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein the individual containers are
connected by a perforated edge between the article-receiving
portions, the lid portions or both.
6. The package of claim 5, wherein the perforated edge is formed by
micro perforations.
7. The package of claim 6, wherein the micro perforations are
formed such that upon detachment of an individual container, the
perforated edge is a substantially smooth edge.
8. The package of claim 6, wherein the micro perforations are
formed in the range of 10-20 perforations per inch.
9. The package of claim 1, wherein the shape of each individual
container is designed to conform to the shape of a baked food
product.
10. The package of claim 9, wherein the lower cavity further
comprises an upper shelf and a bottom surface.
11. The package of claim 10, wherein the upper shelf has a larger
diameter than the bottom surface.
12. A container for baked food products comprising: a lid portion
comprising a first cavity, the first cavity being bound by a first
flange, a product-receiving portion comprising a second cavity, the
second cavity being bound by a second flange, and a fastening
system to selectively connect the first flange with the second
flange to selectively close the lid portion with the
article-receiving portion; wherein the first and second cavities
are formed to accommodate a single-serving baked food product when
the lid portion is closed and connected with the article-receiving
portion.
13. The container as defined in claim 12, wherein the shape of the
first and second cavities are selected to conform to the shape of a
single-serving baked food product.
14. The container as defined in claim 12, wherein article-receiving
portion includes at least one stabilizer associated therewith.
15. The container as defined in claim 12, wherein the fastening
system is selected from the group consisting of female and male
connecting structures, a heat seal and an adhesive seal.
16. The container as defined in claim 12, wherein the second cavity
further comprises an upper shelf and a bottom surface.
17. The container as defined in claim 16, wherein the upper shelf
has a larger diameter than the bottom surface.
18. The container as defined in claim 12, wherein the second flange
has an outer skirt portion formed on the periphery of at least a
portion of the second flange; and wherein outer skirt encompasses
at least a portion of the first flange upon selectively closing the
lid portion with the article-receiving portion.
19. A method of packaging and dispensing baked goods in individual
containers, comprising the steps of: providing a package for baked
food products comprising a plurality of individual containers for
single-serving baked food products, wherein each of the individual
containers comprises an article-receiving portion, and a lid
portion that is hinged to the article-receiving portion, the
article-receiving and lid portions have a fastening system
associated with the portions to selectively close the lid portion
to the article-receiving portion, wherein the article-receiving
portion is formed to house a single-serving baked food product, and
wherein the plurality of individual containers are removably
attached to one another, placing a single-serving of the baked
goods in the individual containers in a first open position;
closing the individual containers into a second closed position;
and, selectively detaching at least one of the individual
containers from the package.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of
selectively detaching one or more individual containers from the
plurality of containers for dispensing thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
[0001] This patent application claims priority to and the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/083,287 filed on
Jul. 24, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to packaging for food
products, and more particularly to packaging for food products
wherein a container is provided for housing an individual baked
food product such as a muffin, pastry or the like, wherein the
container makes it convenient and sanitary to provide single
serving portions of the food products for consumption by a
consumer. Additionally, the invention relates to packaging for food
products wherein a plurality of individual packages are provided
for housing individual, single-serving portions of food products
such as muffins or pastry type products, and the individual
packages are selectively separable to facilitate sale and
consumption thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of packaging for food products is widely used in the
food industry for many reasons. Packaging helps maintain the
product in a desired form, and can keep the food products in a
fresh condition. Packaged food products can be transported more
effectively, providing the ability to stack the products on top of
one another and also side by side. The ability stack packaged
products also can facilitate dispensing the products in a store or
the like, providing a convenient way for a consumer to buy and
carry the food product for later consumption.
[0004] Multi-pack containers are known and used for storing various
separate items. Individual servings of food, such as yogurt,
pudding, gelatin and like products can be packaged individually.
These multi-pack containers typically include several containers
that are joined together to form a pack of individual servings. In
use, the consumer can separate each container from the multi-pack,
so that single serving food items can be carried and later
consumed. Such container arrangements are suitable for packed
lunches or the like, and desirable for consumers for such uses.
These containers are typically small, formed, cup-like plastic
containers manufactured in multi-package units of four, six, eight,
ten, etc. The containers are arranged in single or double rows and
removably attached to each other at their adjacent sides. The
series of containers are each sealed with a plastic or other film
for containment purposes, and to keep the product sanitary. In
various packaging of this type, the lidding material or film is
applied and then perforations are produced between the parts in a
secondary operation.
[0005] For other types of food products, such as baked goods
including muffins, cupcakes, cookies or the like, the products are
typically packaged differently. Such types of food products are
generally made in batches, and are many times packaged in a larger
container with multiple products placed therein. Packaging for such
food products has included clam-shell type packages having a bottom
tray type section and a closeable top. In other cases, materials
such as cellophane may be used to wrap a single baked product up
for storage, transport and later consumption for example, but such
materials do not provide good protection for the product. It would
be desirable to provide packaging that includes selectively
separable containers for baked goods, which provide enhanced
protection of the food products, while providing single-serving
convenience.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] The embodiments of the present invention relate to packaging
for food products, particularly for baked goods such as muffins,
cookies, pastries, cupcakes, breads or the like.
[0007] In one embodiment, a package for such food products
comprising a base or article-receiving portion, and a lid portion
that is hinged to the base or article-receiving portion, both
portions having side flanges, wherein the flanges are selectively
connected to one another to close the article-receiving portion
with the lid portion, wherein the article-receiving portion is
formed to house a single-serving baked food product. The package
may further comprise at least one fastener system formed in
association with the flanges to selectively close the lid with the
base portion, and the fastener system may also provide
reclosability of the lid with the base portion. The base portion
may also have at least one stability member extending therefrom to
provide stability of the base portion on a surface.
[0008] In another embodiment, the invention relates to a package
for food products comprising a plurality of individual,
single-serving containers, each of the containers having an
article-receiving portion, and a lid portion that is hinged to the
article-receiving portion. The plurality of containers are
removably attached to one another, to allow each individual,
single-serving container to be selectively released from the
plurality of containers. Both the article-receiving and lid
portions having side flanges which are selectively connected to one
another to close the article-receiving portion with the lid
portion. In an embodiment, a fastener system may be provided in
association with the flanges to allow selective closure of the lid
portion with the base portion. The fastener system may comprise a
tamper-evident seal in association with the flanges or connecting
the lid and base portions, or may comprise a reclosable fastener
system. An embodiment of a reclosable fastener system may comprise
one of the lid or base portions having at least one male part
extending from the flange and one of said portions having at least
one corresponding female part formed in the flange to mate with the
at least one male part, such that the flanges are selectively
connected to one another by the at least one male-female parts to
selectively close the article-receiving portion.
[0009] In an embodiment, the single-serving containers provided in
a package of a plurality of containers may have the article
receiving portions removably attached to at least one adjacent
container, and/or the lid portions of adjacent containers may be
removably attached to one another. The attachment of the
individual, single-serving containers to one another may use
perforations between the article receiving and/or lid portions of
the containers, wherein the perforations are formed such that upon
detachment of the containers from one another, there is not created
any sharp or outwardly extending portions in the individual
container upon being disengaged from the plurality of containers.
For example, the article receiving and/or lid portions may have
side flanges releasably connected to one another, and upon
disengagement, the exposed edge of the flange portion is relatively
smooth.
[0010] In one aspect of the embodiments of the subject invention,
the shape of the article-receiving portion and lid portion are
selected to conform to the shape of a food product. In another
aspect of the embodiments of the invention, the side walls of the
article-receiving portion, and optionally the lid portion, are
ribbed. In yet another aspect of the embodiments of the subject
invention, the at least one fastener system is at least one male
part extending from the flange of one portion of the individual
container and at least one corresponding female part formed in the
flange of the other portion to mate with the at least one male
part.
[0011] In manufacture of the plurality of containers, the parts
produced with perforations formed between the adjacent containers
during production of the containers themselves, thereby not
requiring any secondary operation in forming these structures. In
accordance with an example, the perforations are formed as micro
perforations which upon selective detachment of an individual
container form a substantially finished edge, which does not have
any portions extending from the edge to any significant degree
which could cause harm to a person handling the container or
remaining package configuration.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, a method of packaging
baked goods comprises the steps of providing a package having a
plurality of containers for food products, with each of the
plurality of containers having a first open position and a second
closed position and formed to house individual or single-servings
of a baked good food product, being formed to have an
article-receiving portion, and a lid portion that is hinged to the
article-receiving portion, both portions having side flanges and at
least one of the portions having at least one fastener system, such
that the flanges are selectively connected to one another by the at
least one fastener to close the article-receiving portion with the
lid portion, wherein the article-receiving portion is formed to
house a single-serving baked food product. A baked good food
product is positioned in each of the plurality of containers, and
each container is closed for packaging of the food products into
the closed containers. Thereafter, at least one of the containers
is selectively detached from the package for use and consumption of
the food product contained in the detached container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a package for a
food product, which is opened, according to the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a package for a
food product, which is opened, according to the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a package for a
food product, which is closed, according to the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a package
for a food product, which is opened, according to the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a package
for a food product, which is opened, according to the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a
package for a food product, which is opened, according to the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a top view of the embodiment as shown in FIG.
6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an example of
a container and package configuration for purposes of illustrating
embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting
the same. FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment of an individual container
10 for an individual or single-serving baked food product. In FIG.
1, the container 10 is shown in an open position for receiving a
baked food product therein. In this example, the container 10 is
designed for housing a baked muffin product for example, but it is
contemplated that containers 10 for other baked goods can be
provided in accordance with the invention, for transporting,
storing and facilitating handling of baked good food products both
before and in the retail environment. The container 10 may comprise
an article-receiving portion 15, and a lid portion 18 that is
hinged to the article-receiving portion 15 via a hinge 12. The
hinge 12 may be formed by a series of perforations formed between
the article-receiving portion 15 and lid portion 18, wherein the
perforation allow repeated pivotal movement of the lid portion 18
relative to the article-receiving portion 15 without destruction of
the attachment therebetween. The hinge 12 may alternatively formed
as a score line, a crease, or a combination thereof, however, it
may be sufficiently strong so as to permit repeated opening and
closing and to maintain the structural integrity of the container
10. The article-receiving portion 15 and lid portion 18 both may
have formed therein a cavity 16 and 17 respectively, designed to
accommodate a particular type of baked good, such as a muffin in
the example shown. For housing a muffin for example, the cavity 16
may be formed to have a shape to accommodate a muffin base portion
or baking paper or cup portion of a muffin product, while the lid
portion 18 has a cavity 17 to accommodate the upper portion of a
muffin product. The container 10 is thus designed to house a
single-serving baked food product such as a single muffin, or would
be alternatively configured to the shape of other baked goods, such
as cookies, pastries, cupcakes, breads, bagels or the like. As with
the example shown in the Figs. For a muffin, such containers 10
would have a article-receiving portion 15 shaped and sized to
receive at least a portion of such baked goods, with the lid
portion 18 formed to close the article-receiving portion 15 and
potentially to accommodate a portion of the baked goods. The depth
of cavity 16 and upper cavity 17 may also vary depending on the
type of food product that is being packaged. For example, if the
baked food product is a cookie, the depth of the lower cavity 16
and the upper cavity 17 may not be needed or will be shallower in
depth. The length and width of the cavities 16 and 17 may also
increase as the length or width of the food product increases. As
seen in this example, the lower cavity 16 and the upper cavity 17
may also have ribbed walls, for added support, and to facilitate
release of the food product contained therein.
[0021] In this example, the lid portion 18 and article-receiving
portion 15 are selectively secured to one another in a closed
position by a suitable fastening system. In the example shown, the
lid portion 18 may further comprise a flange portion 19 formed
around the cavity portion 17 and an upper fastener mechanism 11.
The article-receiving portion 15 may also have a flange portion 20
and a lower fastener mechanism 13. The fastener mechanism in this
example may be a male/female type of locking system, wherein the
fastening member 11 could be a female type of locking member and
the fastening member 13 could be a male type of locking member.
Although a single male/female connector is shown in this example,
the article-receiving portion 15 could have a plurality of
fastening members such a male locking members 13, with the and lid
portion 18 including an equal number of female locking members 11.
To close the container, the two cover members are pivoted into a
face-to-face registration in which the male and female locking
members 11 and 13 are mated to secure the portions 15 and 18
together. With reference to FIG. 3, the container 10 is shown in a
"closed" position. The upper lid portion 18 is selectively folded
on top of the lower product containing portion 15 and the
connecting portions 11 and 13 attached.
[0022] To facilitate forming the male/female connector arrangement
shown in this example, in the manufacturing process, a skirt 14 is
formed as part of each individual package 10 to allow the male
connecting portion 13 to be produced on the flange 20 of the
article-receiving portion 15. In an example, a machine such as a GN
machine may be used, wherein the machine processes the plastic
material from a flat plastic sheet and forms the male snap feature
13. In the manufacturing operation, the machine can't go below the
sheet line, so in order to move everything up above sheet line, a
taper is provided on the mold, thereby producing the skirt 14. Upon
closing of the container 10, the outer skirt 14 also encompasses
the flange 19 of the lid portion 18, which tends to facilitate
retention of the lid portion 18 in the closed position and block
moisture, debris, and particles from entering the container 10 when
in the closed position. There may also be provided a tamper proof
seal or arrangement (not shown) in association with the container
10 once the food product is received therein and the container is
closed to prevent tampering with the food product before the
container is opened by a consumer. Such a tamper evident
arrangement in general may be any suitable arrangement which would
allow a user to easily detect whether the package for food product
10 has been tampered with. Examples of tamperproof arrangements
could be an outer shrink wrap/bags, stretch wrap, plastic bags,
tapes, heat seals, and any other arrangement as may be desired.
[0023] In this example, the male/female connector arrangement is
designed such that the female connecting structure 11 and the male
connecting structure 13 come together and the female connector 11
elastically deforms around the male connector 13, such that once
mated, the connectors remain connected. Such connection may then be
selectively released by a user by pulling up on the lid portion 18,
again causing the female connector to deform and release the male
connector. Other suitable arrangements may be used to selectively
connect the article-receiving portion 15 and lid portion 18 as may
be desired.
[0024] The container 10 may be made of a material that is strong
enough to hold food products. Plastics such as polyethylene
terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or
PVC, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and
other materials for the container 10 will be realized by persons of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 4, a package 100 for baked food
products may comprise a plurality of individual, single-serving
containers 110, which may be similar to that shown and described in
FIGS. 1-3 or other embodiments for example. With reference to FIG.
4, the package for food products is shown at 100, with the
plurality of individual packages for food products 110 being
attached by a perforations 119 located between each
article-receiving portion 115. The perforations 119 allow for the
individual packages for food products 110 to be selectively removed
from the other individual containers of package 100. The lid
portions 118 have a gap 120 between each container 110 to allow the
upper lid portions 118 to bend at a fold line 112 and be connected
while the individual containers 110 remain part of the overall
package 100.
[0026] Each individual package for food products 110 may again
comprise a fastening system, such as connectors 111 and 113, which
may be similar to that previously described. The upper fastener 111
may be a female connecting structure that mates with the lower
fastener 113 that may be a male connecting structure. In this
example, the female connecting structure and the male connecting
structure are elastically deformable in order to facilitate mating
therebetween and remain connected.
[0027] As in the prior example of FIGS. 1-3, the individual
containers 110 may also include a skirt 114. The skirt 114 may also
block moisture, debris, and particles from entering the package for
food product 100 when the package for food product 100 is in a
closed position. Tamperproof systems may also be used with the
individual containers 100 in order to easily detect whether the
package for food product 100 has been tampered with.
[0028] In manufacture of the individual container of FIGS. 1-3 or
other examples and the packaging configuration 100 of the invention
as an example, thermoforming processes may be used in a
cost-effective operation to form individual containers 10. In a
thermoforming process, a plastic material is provided in a
flexible, flat sheet, generally in a large roll form. The sheet
material is fed into and run as a web through an oven, wherein the
material is heated to soften the material. The softened material
then progresses into a mold station. In forming the package 100 as
shown in FIG. 4, with a plurality of individual, single-serving
containers 110, the sheet material is fed into the mold station and
is clamped off by a forming die. Air is then injected into the mold
and it forces that softened material up against the mold contours,
and concurrently begins to cool the material down. During the
molding process, the material thus begins becoming more rigid, not
completely rigid but more rigid than when it is initially heated.
The forming die clamps off the sheet so the air can be introduced,
and then after the forming is done, the die also is used to cut the
part out of the sheet. The forming die is also used to cut in all
the perforations in a single forming operation. The plurality of
individual, single-serving containers 110, are formed by the die
configuration to thereby form each of the containers 110 with an
article-receiving portion 115, and a lid portion 118 that is hinged
to the article-receiving portion 115. The hinge 112 between the
article-receiving portion 115 and lid portion 118 may be formed by
perforations which are designed to securely attach the portions
while allowing folding of the lid onto the article-receiving
portion in a repeatable fashion, without destruction of the hinge
perforations. Both the article-receiving 115 and lid portions 118
are formed to have the side flanges 121 and 122 respectively, and
the respective at least one male and female connecting parts 111
and 113 in a single operation. Similarly, the perforations 119
which connect the individual containers are formed integrally with
forming the package in a single operation. The entire package
configuration is therefore formed in a single operation, rather
than the approach used in the prior art, wherein individual cups of
a food product are lidded and perforations are put in afterwards in
a secondary operation.
[0029] In the example of the packaging configuration according to
the invention, the connection between the individual,
single-serving containers 110 is provided in a fashion to provide
secure attachment for shipping, transporting and otherwise handling
the package 100, while allowing for simple and selective detachment
of one or more individual containers 100 from the package 100 when
desired. To enable this, the perforation scheme is different than
between the lid portions and article-receiving portions forming
each individual clam-shell container. In the example shown, the
perforations 119 are formed as micro perforations. In manufacture,
the micro perforations may be formed in any suitable manner, such
as by a steel roll die and a microperf steel roll blade that cuts
the micro perforations upon thermoforming of the package.
Typically, in the thermoforming process, the parts are cut with a
forged knife, while the micro perforations between the individual
containers 110 may be formed using a steel roll blade
configuration. The micro perforations provide desired strength in
terms of retention characteristics between the individual
containers 110, and also provide the desired edge upon selective
detachment of the individual containers 110 from the package 100.
Upon tearing the individual containers apart, if there is too
coarse of perforations in between the parts, a ragged edge is
produced, which could cut, scratch or otherwise hurt a consumer or
other person handling the package 100 or individual container 110.
The use of micro perforations avoids the creation of any ragged
edges, and produces a nice, fine finished edge which would not have
any sharp edges or points that could cause harm to a person
handling the package or container. The character of the micro
perforations is such as to produce these qualities, of suitable
retention strength as well as a smooth finished edge upon
detachment. For example, micro perforations, whereby small
microscopic slits or holes are made in the plastic material, may be
formed using a very thin knife blade, and with only small retention
tab therebetween, such that upon detachment, the retention tabs do
not project from the edge to any significant degree. Micro
perforations can be achieved in a number of ways, such as ribbon
knives, mechanical needle perforation, laser perforation or the
like. The micro perforations are selectively produced with a
predetermined gap and a predetermined frequency of that gap in an
inch of roll for example. In an example, the micro perforations 119
are formed in the range of 10-20 perforations per inch, or at about
15 per inch. The micro perforations are formed to produce a desired
finished edge on each individual container 110 upon being separated
to facilitate handling thereof.
[0030] In this example, the micro perforations are formed between
the skirt portions 114 formed between the individual containers 110
in the package configuration 100. In the manufacturing process, the
skirt is formed as part of each individual package to allow the
male connecting portion 113 to be produced on the flange 122 of
each article-retaining portion 115. In an example, a machine such
as a GN machine may be used, wherein the machine processes the
plastic material from a flat plastic sheet and forms the male snap
feature. In the manufacturing operation, the machine can't go below
the sheet line, so in order to move everything up above sheet line,
a taper is provided on the mold, thereby producing the skirt 114.
The knife or other configuration to form the micro perforations in
the skirt 114 thus may have a tapered configuration also.
Alternatively, instead of a male button 113 on the flange 122
formed opposing the clam shell hinge of each individual container,
a perimeter snap could be formed along one or both of the side
flanges. In addition, each individual container may have a tamper
evident structure associated therewith, such as a tamper evident
tear strip in the part, to facilitate protection of the food
product therein, and enhance safety to the consumer.
[0031] An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, wherein a
package 150 for baked food products may comprise a plurality of
individual, single-serving containers 160, which may be similar to
that shown and described in FIGS. 1-3 or other embodiments for
example. With reference to FIG. 5, the package 150 has each of the
plurality of individual packages 160 for food products again being
attached by perforations 169 located between each article-receiving
portion 165. The perforations 169 allow for the individual packages
for food products 160 to be selectively removed from the other
individual containers of package 150 similar to the embodiment of
FIG. 4. In this embodiment though the lid portions 168 do not have
a gap between each container 160, but instead are also connected to
adjacent upper lid portions 168 by perforations 170 located between
each lid portion 168. The perforations 170 allow for the individual
packages for food products 160 to be selectively removed from the
other individual containers of package 150 similar to the
embodiment of FIG. 4, but also allow all the lid portions to be
selectively closed together after the food products are introduced
into the article-receiving portions 165 in an automated process. As
each of the upper lid portions 168 bend at a fold line 162, the
connection therebetween by perforations 170 enable each lid to be
moved by movement of only one of the lid portions 168 to the closed
position. Thereafter, to consume the food product, the individual
containers 160 can be selectively detached by breaking the
perforations 169 and 170 connecting the article-receiving portions
165 and lid portions 168 respectively.
[0032] Each individual package for food products 160 may again
comprise a fastening system, such as connectors 161 and 163, which
may be similar to that previously described. The upper fastener 161
may be a female connecting structure that mates with the lower
fastener 163 that may be a male connecting structure. In this
example, the female connecting structure and the male connecting
structure are elastically deformable in order to facilitate mating
therebetween and remain connected.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternate embodiment of
a individual, single-serving container for baked food products is
shown at 200, and may comprise of an upper lid portion 218 and a
lower article-receiving portion 215. The lid portion 218 and
article-receiving portion 215 are connected via a hinge 212. The
hinge 212 may be formed by a series of perforations formed between
the article-receiving portion 215 and lid portion 218, wherein the
perforations allow repeated pivotal movement of the lid portion 218
relative to the article-receiving portion 215 without destruction
of the attachment therebetween. The hinge 212 may alternatively
formed as a score line, a crease, or a combination thereof, and may
be sufficiently strong so as to permit repeated opening and closing
and to maintain the structural integrity of the container 200. The
article-receiving portion 215 and lid portion 218 both may have
formed therein a cavity 216 and 217 respectively, designed to
accommodate a particular type of baked good, such as a muffin in
the example shown. For housing a muffin for example, the cavity 216
may be formed to have a shape to accommodate a muffin base portion
or baking paper or cup portion of a muffin product, while the lid
portion 218 has a cavity 217 to accommodate the upper portion of a
muffin product. The container 200 is thus designed to house a
single-serving baked food product such as a single muffin, or would
be alternatively configured to the shape of other baked goods, such
as cookies, pastries, cupcakes, breads, bagels or the like. In this
example, the lid portion 218 and article-receiving portion 215 are
selectively secured to one another in a closed position by a
suitable tamper-evident fastening system. In the example shown, the
lid portion 18 may further comprise a flange portion 219 formed
around the cavity portion 217, with the article-receiving portion
215 also have a flange portion 220. The flange portions 219 and 220
are connected to one another by a heat seal or adhesive seal 222
for example. As an example, a heat seal may be formed to close the
lid portion 218 and article-receiving portion 215 after the food
product is positioned therein, or an adhesive strip may be provided
on one or both flanges 219 and 220 during manufacturing of the
container 200 to allow the container to be closed after the food
product is positioned therein. Such a closure could serve as a
tamper evident closure wherein any release of the closure would be
indicated, or reclosure thereof would not be possible. In such an
example, the elimination of the button type of closure in the prior
examples may provide for a smaller footprint of container 200, to
provide the ability to stack more containers on a pallet, shelf or
the like for efficient storage or shipping. Also in this
embodiment, the container 200 may have one or more stabilizers 224
associated with the article-receiving portion 215 that provide
additional stability to the container 200 when positioned on a flat
surface, such as on the shelf in a retail environment or during
consumption by a consumer. The one or more stabilizers 224 may be
of any suitable configuration, and as shown in this example, could
provide extension to the base of the article-receiving portion 215
to prevent tipping thereof.
[0034] The containers or packages for food products according to
examples of the invention may be made of a material that is strong
enough to hold food products. Plastics such as polyethylene
terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or
PVC, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and
other materials for the package for food product will be realized
by persons of ordinary skill in the art.
[0035] The invention has been described herein with reference to
the disclosed embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations
will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this
specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and
alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended
claims or the equivalent thereof.
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